African, Asian & forest elephants – what’s the difference?

The three species of elephants from left to right: African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), and the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis)

Did you know that there are three species of elephants in the world? Most only know of two: the African savannah elephant, also known as the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). However, in 2010 a detailed genetic study confirmed that there is a third distinct species: the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) – only found in the rainforests of Central and West Africa.

Further research has shown that African forest elephants are more closely related to a now-extinct ancestor than they are to their savannah relatives.

A revised tree showing phylogenetic relationships among living and extinct members of the elephant family, colour-coded by their presumed geographical range. Image credit: Meyer et al. (2017)

All three may look the same from afar, but on closer inspection, there are quite several differences between the species.

Join us as we take a look at the main differences between the African, Asian and forest elephant:

The savannah elephant is the largest of the three species – also the largest living terrestrial animal in the world – with bulls growing up to over 3 metres in height and weighing up to 8,000 kg. On average, Asian elephant bulls can reach about 2.75 metres, weighing up to 5,500 kg, while forest elephant bulls (the smallest of the three) rarely exceed 2.5 metres and weigh around 2,700 kg.

An African savannah elephant

Ears

Savannah elephants’ ears look like the shape of the African continent, and when compared to the other two species are much bigger and reach up and over the neck, which does not occur in Asian elephants.

Forest elephants’ ears are more oval-shaped, while the Asian are shaped like India and are more rounded on top and flat along the bottom when compared to the savannah elephant.

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in a forest in Asia

Head shape

Savannah elephants have fuller, more rounded heads. They have a single dome head, whereas Asian elephants have a twin-domed head, which means there’s a divot line running up the middle of the head.

The head of the forest elephant is similar to that of the savannah, albeit slightly smaller.

Forest elephants have tusks that are straight and point downward, unlike the savanna elephants who have curved tusks. All savannah and forest elephants, male and female, can have tusks – whereas only some male Asian elephants have tusks. About 50% of female Asian elephants and a small percentage of males have small tusk-like teeth known as tushes (which have no pulp inside).

However, it must be noted that not all male Asian elephants nor all savannah and forest elephants necessarily develop tusks.

Trunks

The tip of the trunk of the African elephant has two finger-like projections, while the Asian elephant’s trunk tip has only one.

Nails

There is even a difference between the number of nails on each of the three species feet:

• African savanna elephant: 4 nails on front feet, 3 on back feet

• African forest elephant: 5 nails on front feet, 4 on back feet

• Asian elephant: 5 nails on front feet, 4 on back feet (rarely 5)

Asian elephants drinking water – notice the ear size is quite smaller than the African savannah species

Location

Savannah elephants are found in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and Angola.

Forest elephants are found in Central and West Africa, including Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Central African Republic and Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana.

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